Reign overcome one-goal deficit to defeat Red Stars, 2-1

In the final Wednesday night match for the NWSL, the Seattle Reign (4-2-5, 17 points) overcame a one-goal deficit to defeat the traveling Chicago Red Stars (6-3-2, 20 points), 2-1, at home. Megan Rapinoe scored both goals for Seattle.

The Red Stars took the lead in the 41st minute after multiple attempts from different players on a single play. As Julie Ertz seemingly attempted to convert on the rebound of a Christen Press shot, the ball went rolling just wide of the goal. Alyssa Mautz had a simple re-direction of the ball at the back post to finish it for the 1-0 lead.

Seattle tied the game seven minutes into the second half following a handball in the penalty area. The ensuing penalty kick was taken by Rapinoe, who blasted the ball past Alyssa Naeher into the top left side of the goal.

It wasn’t until the 84th minute that Seattle scored again. This time, Rapinoe was taken down in the box, and the referee awarded the Reign another penalty kick. In similar fashion, Rapinoe sent her shot towards the top right side of the goal, ending the match at 2-1 in favor of her team.

Next up for the Reign is the season’s second installment of the Cascadia Clash, with the Reign hosting rivals Portland at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, July 1 at 10:30 p.m. ET. Chicago continues its four-game road stretch by traveling cross-country to sunny Orlando City Stadium, where it will take on the Pride on Saturday, July 1 at 5 p.m. ET.